Conductor

To capture in sound some of the iconic natural beauty of Northern California, composer Marko Bajzer was awarded Artist in Residence by Lassen Volcanic National Park and awarded a co-commision by the North State Symphony to bring his work, “Lassen Awakes!”, to life.  Acclaimed pianist Charlie Albright has been praised by the New York Times for his “jaw-dropping technique” and “virtuosity with a distinctive musicality.”  Charlie returns to the North State Symphony to be featured on Rachmaninoff’s prodigious Second Piano Concerto.  Combining luxurious melody and swelling orchestration, you will quickly learn why it is considered one of the best piano concertos ever written.  Concluding the season is Antonin Dvořák’s cheerful and life-affirming Symphony No. 8, inspired by Bohemian folk music and offering lyricism that showcases nature’s endless charms.

EPSG:4326

Masterworks 4: Rachmaninoff & Dvorak

California State University, Chico

Cascade Theatre

In this program geared for school groups, we feature Paul Dooley’s The Conductor’s Spellbook.  Narrator Nathan Bastuscheck takes us through the magical story of Tony Stradivarius.  During a field trip to the symphony, young Tony finds a powerful book of spells and uses it to control the orchestra.  In this exciting and interactive concert experience, audiences will be introduced to music, orchestral instruments, and even conducting!

Youth Concerts: The Conductors Spellbook

State Theatre

In this quirky and humor-infused program, we highlight our Young Artist Winners, James Johnston and Sarah Harris.  We also welcome our area youth orchestras on stage to join us for Franz Schubert’s Overture “In the Italian Style”, a Rossini-inspired work that captures the effervescence of the lively Italian opera overture with beautiful operatic melodies and blazing finale.  The evening begins with the whimsical Little Suite from Comedy on the Bridge, an opera where all the main characters get stranded on a bridge.  The program takes a twist in Telemann’s Don Quichotte, a sort of musical novel where the over-hyped image of Cervantes’ Don Quixote has a unique take on reality.  The first sounds of Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 103 will reveal instantly why it received the nickname, “Drumroll”.  What follows is a symphony full of imagination and wit that exemplifies a grandmaster of symphonic writing over sixty years in the making.

Masterworks 3: Haydn's Drumroll

Concluding our season crescendo is Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony, a work showcasing the power, heroism, humanity, and revolutionary spirit of his groundbreaking and visionary voice.  In addition to our four phenomenal soloists, we will have more than 100 voices from the combined choruses of Shasta College and Simpson University.  The performance begins with the dramatic and fiery Overture No. 2 by Louise Farrenc and also features a world premiere by the winner of the North State Symphony Composition Competition.

Scott Seaton

Conductor

Events

13 - 14 May, 2023

Masterworks 4: Rachmaninoff & Dvorak · North State Symphony

7 - 9 Mar, 2023

Youth Concerts: The Conductors Spellbook · North State Symphony

11 - 12 Feb, 2023

Masterworks 3: Haydn's Drumroll · North State Symphony

14 - 15 May, 2022

Masterworks 4: Unstoppable Beethoven · North State Symphony

About

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